The linguistic universal is the observation that all languages have structures and feature similar patterns of word order. The linguistic universal is most readily observed in the way that all languages place adjectives after nouns, and all languages require articles before nouns. There are also universals in the use of words to express emotions, in the use of numerals, and in the use of certain verbs. The linguistic universal is an important observation in linguistics, as it helps to understand the similarities and differences between languages.